Citing concerns about the burgeoning federal debt, Rogers unveiled more than 70 cuts to the national budget. Other perennial targets of the right that would feel the knife under the plan are the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts, both of which would see their funding slashed by $6 million.

"While making these cuts is hard, we have a unique opportunity to right our fiscal ship and begin to reduce our massive deficits and debt," Rogers said in a statement.

The CPB did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The organization, which helps subsidize PBS and NPR among others, had a budget of $420 million.

It had requested $608 million for its next funding cycle, which begins in 2013. Funding from the CPB accounts on average for 15 percent of funding for the more than 1,100 public radio and television stations around the country.

Public media and federal arts fundings have long been a bête noire for Republican lawmakers, who argue that it promotes a left-wing agenda.

It might be just an ideal threat. Democrats control the Senate and President Barack Obama has veto power.